Aircraft pickup and delivery apparatus



May 25, 1943. RAY

AIRCRAFT HCKUP AND DELIVERY APPARATUS Filed April 24, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet l mwzmon Jizmes 6. Fa? BY A TTQRNEY' J. G. RAY

May 25, 1943.

AIRCRAFT PICKUP AND DELIVERY APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 24, 1940 INVENTOR (fumes (7: Bay BY flwwh bzz ATI'ORN EY May 25, 1943. J. G. RAY

AIRCRAFTPICKUP AND DELIVERY APPARATUS FileciApril 24, 1 4 4 Sheets-$heet 5 I mvENmom jfa . ATTORNEY" May 25, 1943.

J. RAY AIRCRAFT PICKUP AND DELIVERY APPARATUS Fi led Aprii 24, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 vii! TTORNEY Patented May 25, 1943 AIRCRAFT PICKUP AND DELIVERY APPARATUS James G Ray, Pittsburgh, Pa.-, assignor to All American Aviation, Inc., Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application filed April 24, 1940, Serial No. 331,364

6 Claims. ,(Cl. 258-1) The present invention relates to improvements in aircraft pick-up and delivery apparatus,

In a pick-up and delivery system of the type .to which the present invention is'adapted, a hook or like member is trailed from theaircraft by a transfer line and the aircraft is flown past a ground station," at which the burden to be picked up is located, in order to engage the hook withthe burden, 'or preferably, a pick -up line attached thereto? The burden is accelerated from a position of rest to the speed of the aircraft and therefore the forces which must be absorbed are very great, especially where the burden has substantial weight and the aircraft is traveling at a relatively high rate of speed.

It is'desirable that the hook be guided with 'suflicient accuracy to engage the pick-up line and that it be under such degree of control as r to prevent the transfer line from whipping about,

tion relative to the aircraft until contact is made with'the pick-up line to which the burden is attached. The arm 'is pivoted to the aircraft so ing the shock to the aircraft incident to making such pick-ups.

'Still another feature of the invention is that it provides a means for preventing the burden or hook from striking the aircraft when a pickup is made. I

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of thisinvention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself as to its objects and F advantages, and the manner in which it may i be carried out, may be better understood by rethat it may swing backward as the contact is made, thus absorbing at least a portion of the initial shock of striking the pick-up line. The pick-up line then slides down into the hook and. as the force of initially accelerating the burden is applied to the hook, the transfer line is permitted to pay out. x

The aircraft end of the transfer line is attached toa winch carried by the aircraft, which ferring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in which Fig'. I is a diagrammatic view showing an aircraft having associated therewith one form of pick-up apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention and with the transfer arm in retracted position against the aircraft;

Fig. II is an enlarged detail view of the trans-' fer arm with the outer end portion in extended position;

Fig. III is an enlarged detail view of the transfer arm with the outer end portion in telescoped position;

Fig. IV is a side elevational view of the aircraft of Big. I with the position of the transfer winch preferably is relatively free to rotate at the line. A brake may be provided in association I with the winch to check the line evenly, as dearm when in extended position ready for a pickup being shown in full lines and the position after a pick-up shown in broken lines;

Fig. V is a view of a modifiedform of the invention, the extended position of the transfer arm being shown in full lines, and the retracted position in broken lines;

Fig. VI i an enlarged, front elevational view of the transfer arm of the apparatus shown in Fig. V;

Fig. VII is an enlarged, fragmentary V1BW showing the outer end portion of the transfer arm;

Fig.-VIII is a side elevational view of a further modified form. of the invention; .and

Fig. IX is an enlarged, front elevational view of the transfer arm of the apparatus shown in Fig. VIII.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figure of the drawings.

One form of apparatus for accomplishing these ends comprises generally, as shown in Figs. I, II,

The arm 2 may also be provided with an abutment member In which acts as a stop or abutment for the bushing 9, and also as a guide bearing for the telescoping extension member 8.

The transfer arm 2 is also provided with an opening ll intermediate the yoke and the abutment member ID. A sheave l2 may be rotatably mounted within the transfer arm 2 adjacent the opening II. A transfer line It is trained over the sheave l2 and passes through a guideway 28 in the arm 2' and the telescoping extension section 8 and has one end fixed to a hook l3. .The hook I 3 is formed with a shank l4 adapted to enter a socket defined by the end of the guideway 28 at the end of the transfer arm 2 remote from the aircraft.

The part I! of the line I6 which extends from the opening ll, leads to a winch suitably mountedin the aircraft l, as by struts or connecting members 2 I, 2 I. The part I! of the line l8 preferably is trained around a sheave l8 adjacent an opening or hatch I! in the underside 3 of the aircraft I.

The winch 20 may have a brake 23, of any 2,319,881 The pick-up line", after being released from its supporting means, slides down the arm 2 and is engaged by the hook it and the pull exerted by the burden on the grapple causes the transfer line to be under substantial tension, whereby it is drawn out. The winch continues to rotateto allow the transfer lineto pay out. Owing to the fact that the winch has beeninitially set in motion, the strain on the transfer line when the grapple engages the pick-up line is considerably,

less than it would be if the winch at this time. i a

The paying out of the transferline can be conwere stationary trolled by suitable manipulation of .the brake 23 by the operator to gradually decrease the speed of rotation of the winch and gradually bring the burden up to the speed of the aircraft. The winch is then rotated in the opposite direction to wind in the transfer line and bring the grapple and the attached burden up to the end of the arm 2. Thereafter, further winding in of the transfer line causes the telescoping end portion to telescope onto the main portion of the arm 2 until the stop or abutment is reached. Still further winding in of the transfer line causes the arm 2 to rotate forwardly about its pivot and to bring the hook and attached burden pick-up line into position adjacent the hatch or opening in suitable construction, operated by a brake handle 24, to control paying out of the line IS. ,The ".winch 28 is provided with a handle 22 to wind in the line It and bring the arm 2 up into its retracted position against the underside of the aircraft I. A suitable holding device is provided for retaining the arm in retracted position. Winding in of the line l6 also retracts the telescoping section 8 to telescope over the arm 2 so that when the arm 2 is drawn up against the aircraft, the hook I 3 lies directly under (or in certain cases enters) the opening I9. The hook l3 is'thus in position to permit the operator to remove the pick-up line connected to the burden container 29 from the hook l3 after a pick-up has been made.

The burden container 29 preferably has a pick-up line 30 attached thereto as by an eye or ring 3|.

In operation, the pick-up'line 38 is suitably extension 58 which is hingedly supported at-the ground station in position to the winch in motion. The impact is suflicient to release themeans by which the pick-up line 30 is attached to its supporting means and thus 'the .pick-up line and its attached burden are given an initial acceleration. However, owing to the rearward movement of the arm 2, the burden is not accelerated immediately to the full speed of the aircraft.

a would bethe case also be provided with the aircraft, whereupon the operator can remove the pick-up line from the hook, and bring the burden into the aircraft.

The position of the transfer arm at the time of making the pick-up can be controlled by the transfer line and winch. While it is desirable that the transfer arm be maintained in nearly vertical position, it slightly in order to prevent it from transmitting an axial thrust force to the aircraft when the shock of pick-up occurs. v

By the provision. of a telescoping transfer arm, such as illustrated, the distance of the hook (when in position for a pick-up) from the aircraft may be made substantially greater than tne distance from the pivot point of the arm to the hatch. Thus, the effective length of the arm need not be limited by the size of the aircraft as if a non-collapsible arm were used, and hence the arm a relatively small aircraft. In Figs. V, VI and VII fled form of the invention in which an aircraft 4| has an arm 42 hingedly connected to the underside 43 thereof as by the bracket 44, yoke 45 and pivotal connecting members 46, 46. The arm 42 is provided with a yoke 45 similar to the yoke shown in Figs. I to IV. The arm 42 has an connected to the arm by an elbow 49, and an abutment member 58 is provided in the arm which permits th extension 48 to bend in a forward direction only. A line '56 passes over a sheave 52 in an opening 5| in the extension 48, and, thence through a guideway 68 in the extension 48, and is secured to the shank 54 of a hook 53.

Anotherpart 51 of the line 56 passes around a sheave 52 in the underside 43 of the aircraft 4|, and thence to a winch 68. The winch 88 is provided with a handle 52 for rotating the winch and winding or unwinding the line 56. It may a brake 63 actuated by the brake handle 84 to control the paying out of the line 56. The winch 68 is a .ed to the fuselage of the aircraft by connectin members 58, 58.

The extension 48 of the arm 42 is provided with a pivoted burden release member '12, which is should be inclined rearwardly' can be employed with there is shown.a modi-.

which is preferably located on the instrument panel of the aircraft and adjacent the throttle control for the aircraft. At a point on the underside 43 of the aircraf and forward of the bracket 44 is located a catch .or retaining member 65, and just forward of this in the underside 43 of the aircraft 4I there is located an opening 59 which is approximately equal in diameter to the length of the extension 48..

A burden container 69 with a burden line connected thereto by a member It may be releasably connected to the burden release member I2 by the member 'II which is located in the forward part of the burden container 69.

A stop member 66 may be provided adjacent the tail, wheel 41 to prevent the arm 42 from swinging backward far enough to strike the aircraft when a pick-up is made.

The release member 12 comprises generally the curved finger piece 19 hingedly connected to the extension 48 as at 80. The finger piece I9 is held yieldingly in closed position against the extension 40 by suitable means such as the spring 13, so as to securely retain the burden. The control cable serves to trip th burden release member to release the burden when desired.

The burden release device is employed when it is desired to deliver a burden either at the same time as a pick-up is made or as an independent operation." In making a delivery, the aircraft is flown past the ground station and at the proper an opening III in itsforward portion at the desired distance from its point of connection.

( A hook H3 is adapted to have its shank II4 fit up into a guideway I21 and has a pick-up line IIG attached thereto. The line H6 is trained over the sheave H2 and the part III passes thence over a sheave H8 in the underside I03 of the aircraft IN.

The other end of the line H6 is secured to a winch I20 which in turn is fastened to the aircraft IOI by suitable means such as the struts m, m. The winch I20 is provided with a winch operating handle I22 and a brake I23 controlled by the brake handle I24.

A spring retainer clamp I25 may be provided on the underside I03 of the aircraft IM to hold the pick-up arm I02 in reposed position.

A burden release member I09 similar to those shown in Figs. V and VII may be provided, having 'a control line I08 connected thereto and passing through a longitudinal guideway I28 up over a pulley I32 and thence to a control knob H0;

A stop member I26 may be provided adjacent,

the tail-wheel IM to limit movement of the pickup arm I02.

While several forms of the device have been shown the operation and principles applicable thereto are generally analogous.

It is to be understood that where the term line" is used herein, it is intended to designate any suitable member, such as a rope, wire, cable or the like of sufficient strength and flexibility to perform the intended functions.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed herein, and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with an aircraft, a -telescoping pick-up arm hingedly connected to the underside of said aircraft adjacent the rearward portion thereof, an opening in said arm, a sheave mounted in said arm adjacent said opening, an opening in the underside of said aircraft, a second sheave mounted in the underside of said aircraft adjacent said opening, a passageway through said pick-up arm, a winch carried by said aircraft, a brake associated with said winch, an operating member for said winch, a line connected at one end to said winch and trained over said sheaves and through said pick-up arm, and a hook connected to the other-end of said line.

2. In combination with an aircraft having a hatch, a telescoping pick-up arm comprising telescoping upper and lower sections, said upper section being hingedly connected to said aircraft, said lower section having a guide, a second guide mounted on said aircraft adjacent said hatch, a winch carried by said aircraft, an operating member for controlling said winch, a line connected to said winch and trained over said guides, and a hook connected to said line whereby said line controls the telescoping of said sections and the angular position of said arm.

3. In an air pick-up system, an aircraft, a pickup arm, hinge means connecting said arm to said aircraft, a guide and a seat on said arm, a pickup device releasably engaging said seat, take-up means carried by said aircraft, a guide device on said aircraft spaced from said hinge means, a

line connected to said take-up means, passingover said guide device, through said arm guide and connected to said pick-up device, said arm guide being located at a substantial distance from the hinged end of the arm, said guide device and said arm guide being constructed to maintain engagement of the line therewith during the pick-up operation, whereby said line serves to control the position of said arm in readiness for the pick-up operation, to return said pick-up device and to move said arm to inoperative position after the pick-up operation.

4. In combination with an aircraft having a hatch, a pick-up arm comprising upper and lower v sections, articulat-ive means spaced from said hatch for connecting said upper section to said aircraft, movable means connecting said upper and lower sections, a holder in the end of said lower section, a hook adapted to seat in said holder, a guide on said arm, a winch in said air-,

aircraft with said hook adjacent said hatch after picking up the burden.

5. In combination with an aircraft having a hatch, a pick-up arm comprising upper and lower sections, articulative means spaced from said hatch for connecting said upper section to said aircraft, articulative means for connecting said upper and lower sections, a guide on said lower section, a holder at the end of said lower. section, a pick-up hook adapted to seat in said holder, a winch in said aircraft, a pick-up line wound on said winch passing through said guide and attached to said hook, said winch being adapted to wind and unwind said pick-up line, whereby to aid in controllingthe operative position of said pick-up arm prior to the pick-up operation, and whereby to swing said arm into inoperative position with said upper section adjacent the air-' craft and said lower section and hook projected through said hatch into the interior of the aircraft after picking up the burden.

6. In combination with an aircraft having a hatch in its lower side, a pick-up arm comprising upper and lower sections, pivot means spaced aft of said hatch for connecting said upper section to said aircraft, pivot means for connecting said upper and lower sections, a receptacle in the end of said lower section, a hook adapted to seat in said receptacle, said lower section having a guide opening communicating with said receptacle, a winch in said aircraft, a line wound on said winch passing through said guide opening and attached to 'said hook, said winch being adapted to wind and unwind said pick-up line whereby to aid in controlling the operative position of said arm prior to the pick-up operation, and whereby to swing said arm forward into inoperative position with said upper section adjacent the aircraft and said lower section and hook projected through said hatch into the-interior of the aircraft after picking up the burden.

JAMES G. RAY. 

